The academy was buzzing with excitement: rumors spread like wildfire after Mio's breathtaking solo, and the upcoming pair-dance exhibition was announced—an event where competitors would draw lots to determine their partners. Mio's stomach twisted with nerves. She prayed to be paired with Rika or even Hina, but the universe had other plans.
When the names were drawn, gasps echoed in the hall:
"Mio Hanabira… and Ren Kurogami."
Mio's eyes widened. She whirled around—and there he was, leaning against the door frame, smirking like the cat who caught the canary.
"Looks like fate wants us to dance together, starshine," Ren drawled, pushing off the wall with infuriating casualness.
"This must be a mistake!" Mio protested, cheeks blazing. She could feel every pair of eyes on them.
Ren stepped close—too close—until she could feel the warmth radiating from his body. He lowered his head until his lips nearly brushed her ear. "Afraid you can't handle me?" he whispered, voice a silken taunt that sent shivers down her spine.
Mio jerked back, heart hammering. "I can handle you just fine!"
"Then prove it," he challenged, eyes glinting. "Meet me in the south studio tonight. Let's see if your light can keep up with my darkness."
That evening, Mio entered the moonlit south studio. Ren was already there, waiting in the center of the polished floor. He offered a dramatic bow and extended his hand with a roguish grin.
"May I have this dance, princess of light?"
Mio hesitated—then placed her hand in his. His grip was firm but warm, and as they began to move, every step felt electric. His closeness was intoxicating; his teasing smirk both infuriating and… oddly exciting.
At one point, Ren spun her into his arms, their faces inches apart, his breath warm on her lips. "Your heart's beating so fast," he teased, voice low. "Is it fear… or something else?"
"Sh-shut up!" Mio stammered, pushing him away—only for him to catch her again, this time pulling her flush against him.
They danced like that, tension crackling, until they collapsed to the floor, breathless. Ren lay beside her, chest rising and falling as he chuckled softly.
"You really are something else, Mio Hanabira," he murmured, his voice softer than before.
For a moment, Mio thought she saw a flicker of sadness—or longing—in his dark eyes before his usual smirk returned. "Don't disappoint me," he said, rolling smoothly to his feet. He offered his hand to help her up, his fingers brushing hers longer than necessary.
Mio accepted, cheeks hot, heart confused. She knew she shouldn't trust him—but in that brief dance, something between them had undeniably changed.
As they left the studio, the moonlight spilled across the path, casting their shadows side by side. Mio tried to pull her hand from Ren's, but he held on, his fingers entwined with hers like he had every right to them.
"Let go," she muttered, cheeks warm, but there was no real force behind it.
Ren only chuckled, tightening his grip. "Relax. I'm just making sure you don't trip. You're clumsy when you're flustered."
She scowled up at him, but the sparkle in his eyes made her stomach do an unwelcome flip. "You think you know everything about me?"
He stopped walking so suddenly she almost crashed into him. His free hand lifted to brush a strand of hair from her face, thumb lingering against her cheek. His gaze locked with hers, dark and intense.
"No," he said quietly, voice softer than she'd ever heard. "That's why I want to know more."
For a heartbeat, the world fell silent except for their breathing. Mio's lips parted, her mind spinning. Then Ren's expression shifted, mischief flashing across his face as he released her abruptly.
"Get stronger, Mio," he drawled, stepping back with an infuriatingly confident grin. "I want our next dance to be even more interesting."
He vanished into the shadows of the courtyard, leaving Mio alone under the silver light, heart pounding as she pressed a hand to her burning cheeks.
Why does he make me feel like this? she wondered, staring at the empty path he'd taken. And what does he really want from me?
But even as she turned back toward the dorms, Mio couldn't stop the tiny smile that curled at the corners of her lips.